On Saturday, freethinkers, atheists, agnostics, humanists, skeptics and other non-theists came together on the National Mall to celebrate reason and a secular America. Despite the rain the event was a rousing success, and a potent reminder of the growing strength and numbers of those Americans with no religion – the fastest-growing religious group in the United States.

Celebrities, politicians, intellectuals and other leading figures in the godless movement appeared at Reason Rally 2012. Richard Dawkins, Penn Jillette, Bill Maher, Tim Minchin, Eddie Izzard, U.S. Rep. Pete Stark, The Friendly Atheist – Hemant Mehta, James Randi, Lawrence Krauss, Jessica Ahlquist, Michael Shermer and Adam Savage (co-host of Mythbusters on the Discovery Channel) all made an appearance before the joyful and receptive crowd.

Richard Dawkins, British scientist, best-selling author, and leading figure of the New Atheism movement, told Reason Rally goers:

“There are too many people in this country who have been cowed into fear of coming out as atheists, secularists or agnostics. We are far more numerous than anybody realizes.”

Billed as the largest gathering of non-theists in the history of the world, Reason Rally 2012 lived up to its promise and more. A “Woodstock” for the godless, the rally may foreshadow a much welcome turn in American politics, a turn away from the destructive and irrational policies of the religious right.

Scenes from Reason Rally with voice over by Richard Dawkins

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